How to prepare a boat for sale

If you've enjoyed boating so much that it is time to upgrade to a new vessel, you'll need to prepare your current boat for sale. Detailing your boat and making sure everything is in good working order can help you sell it faster and net you a better deal, making it an essential part of building up to a sale.

There are several easy, fast and cost-effective things you can do to prepare your boat for sale - here are a few of them.

Presentation is key - making a good first impression can make all the difference to a sale. Think about it - you'd put your suit on for a job interview, so making sure your pride and joy is looking its best for sale is no different. This is also one last chance to give your trusty vessel some TLC. 

Potential buyers will be more drawn to a clean and well-cared for boat, so one last spruce up is a key part of preparing it for sale. The cleaner, brighter and nicer smelling your vessel is, the better your chances are of making a successful sale and getting good bang for your buck. Luckily, these steps are straightforward and won't take up too much of your time or energy. 

The first step to preparing your boat for sale is to get rid of any clutter. You will need to empty out all your lockers, removing anything that is not included in the sale of your boat. Take out any spare tools, cleaning supplies, fishing gear and other bits and bobs that are stashed away on your boat.  Anything that will go along with the boat, such as life jackets or flare kits, should be stowed in a tidy fashion.  After taking out all of your belongings, you will need to give your whole boat a thorough clean. Make everything sparkle - no area should be left out.  Clean out the bilge and make sure there is no mould or mildew hiding anywhere.  Wash the exterior thoroughly, clean water marks, stains and repair any cracks. Once that's done, give it a good wax and polish any metal.  It's not just about the look - think about the smell as well. You want to try and get rid of any unpleasant odours - disinfectant or air fresheners should do the trick. A few small repairs can make your boat look much better and smooth along the selling process. After de-cluttering and cleaning, turn your attention to details such as the upholstery and carpets. Clean either wherever possible, and replace worn carpets and any torn upholstery. wash or replace curtain covers, and polish all glass surfaces until they are spotless.

Functionality

A fully operational boat will be much easier to sell. If you love being out on the water, chances are you have taken good care of your boat, but when preparing your boat for sale it's still helpful to make sure all the mechanics are working and to make any adjustments as necessary.

Check the engine and make sure it is clean and free of rust. Replace the engine oil and filters at the same time.Grease fittings and replace any cracked hoses, and finish by wiping away any grease or excess soot. For electronics, check all the functions and wiring, and clean the displays.  Check that important safety features such as bilge pumps and navigation lights are working properly.  Give the propeller blades a buff and file if necessary.  Small things like faulty lights or loose handrails can be easily fixed or replaced and can make a big difference when it comes to the sale of your boat. 

Thinking ahead

For passionate boaties, looking after your boat is part and parcel of being a boat owner. Keeping on top of simple maintenance means you can retain the value of your vessel for longer, ensuring that you can get the best possible price when the time comes to sell.

A few easy ways to take care of your boat include taking it for a regular service, washing it down thoroughly every time you take it out on salt water and storing it properly. This will help to keep your boat in good condition and make selling a breeze!

Choose how to sell your boat

Once you have cleaned your boat from bow to stern and repaired any minor issues that could affect the sale, the next step is to decide whether you want to sell your boat privately or through a dealer. 

Selling your boat through a dealer is a hassle-free option that can save you both time and money. If you are ready to sell your boat, get in touch with the friendly team at Hunts Marine. Not only can we arrange a settlement within 24 hours, we make selling even easier by coming to you!

For more information, feel free to reach out to our sales team by calling 9546-1324 for Sydney, 4284 0444 for Wollongong or 4472-2612 for Batemans Bay.